What happens if I submit my taxes after April 15th?

The IRS handles the returns differently after April 15th depending on your tax situation.

If you are due a refund, you have up to three years to file and claim your full refund, with no penalty. If you are due a refund, it’s also not necessary to file an extension even if you want to file after the filing date. 

If you owe money on your taxes, you’ll be charged a penalty and fees both for late filing and late payment if you file after the 15th. Most people don’t owe money on their taxes unless they are self-employed, worked in the gig economy, did not have much withheld from their paycheck each month, or bought health insurance through their State Marketplace. If you haven’t owed money in the past and your situation hasn’t changed, it’s also unlikely you’ll owe in the current year. 

If you’re worried you’ll owe money and don’t have time to complete your return by the filing date, you can explore your extension options at IRS.gov.